Rory McIlroy, MBE (born 4 May 1989) is a Northern Irish professional golfer from Holywood in County Down.[2] He is formerly the World Number One. On 19 June 2011 he won the U.S. Open, setting a record score of 16-under-par on his way to an eight-shot victory. He has been cited as the most exciting young prospect in golf and having the potential to become one of the highest earners in sports in terms of endorsements.[3][4][5]
McIlroy has represented Europe, Great Britain & Ireland, and Ireland as both an amateur and a professional. He had a successful amateur career, topping the World Amateur Golf Ranking for one week as a 17-year-old in 2007. Later that year he turned professional and soon established himself on the European Tour. He had his first win on the European Tour in 2009, and on the PGA Tour in 2010. He represented Europe in the 2010 Ryder Cup.
McIlroy was born in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland. He is the only child of Gerry and Rosie (née McDonald) McIlroy; he attended St. Patrick's Primary School[6] and then Sullivan Upper School.[7]
He was introduced to golf at an exceptionally young age by his father, who coached him from at least the age of 18 months.[3] Gerry McIlroy is a fine golfer himself, who once played at a scratch handicap level.[8] Young Rory gave early evidence of his golf potential by hitting a 40-yard drive at the age of two years.[9] Rory was very keen for the sport from the start, and asked his father virtually every day to take him to the golf course. Family lore relates that Rory received a new golf club as a present, being shown the correct grip by his father, then taking the club to bed with him that night, with his hands holding the club properly. A video on golf technique produced by champion Nick Faldo was his early favourite.[10]
Gerry McIlroy held down several jobs to earn additional income for his son's golf development. Rory's mother worked extra shifts at the local 3M plant.[11] His first significant international victory came in the World Championship for the 9–10 age group bracket at the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami, Florida.[3][12] Rory McIlroy learned his early golf at the Holywood Golf Club, which he still retains as his home course.[13] He became the youngest club member at age seven.[14] Rory started his early training with Michael Bannon, previously the Golf Professional of Holywood Golf Club, who is also his current coach and dedicated mentor.[11]
McIlroy at age 15 was a member of Europe's winning 2004 Junior Ryder Cup team; the event was held in Ohio.[15] In 2005 he became the youngest-ever winner of both the West of Ireland Championship and the Irish Close Championship.[16] He retained the West of Ireland Championship in 2006 and followed that up with back-to-back wins at the Irish Close Championship.[17] In August 2006, he won the European Amateur at Biella Golf Club, near Milan, Italy with the score of 274.[18]
In late 2004, at age 15, he signed a letter of intent to play collegiate golf at East Tennessee State University, but after his wins in 2005, he decided to forgo the golf scholarship and continue to play amateur golf in Europe.[19] McIlroy shot an opening round of 3-under-par 68 at the 2007 Open Championship at Carnoustie, his first major championship entry. He shot +5 overall and was the highest finishing amateur, winning the silver medal.[20]
In July 2005, at age 16, McIlroy shot a new competitive course record score of 61 on the Dunluce links of Royal Portrush Golf Club.[21] In October 2006, McIlroy represented Ireland in the Eisenhower Trophy, which is the Amateur World Team Championship. On 6 February 2007, he became the second man to top the World Amateur Golf Ranking, though he lost the top spot after just one week.[22]
McIlroy was part of the Great Britain & Ireland team at the 2007 Walker Cup, held at the Royal County Down Golf Club.[23] On the first day of the event he was paired with Jonathan Caldwell for morning foursomes, and the match was halved. In the afternoon he faced Billy Horschel in singles, but Horschel won 1 up. On the second day McIlroy and Caldwell lost in morning foursomes by the score of 2 & 1. In the afternoon he faced Horschel in singles again, and this time he won by the score of 1 up. McIlroy's overall record was (1–2–1) in Win-Loss-Tie format. The United States came out victorious by a score of 12½ to 11½.[24] He made his first appearance in a European Tour event a few days after turning 16, when he took part in the 2005 British Masters. He made the cut on the European Tour for the first time as a 17-year-old at the 2007 Dubai Desert Classic, where he had to forego prize money of over €7,600 due to his amateur status.[25]
McIlroy turned professional on 19 September 2007, the day before the Quinn Direct British Masters. He signed with International Sports Management.[26] At the Quinn Direct British Masters, McIlroy shot 290 (+2), which put him in a tie for 42nd place.[27] He finished in 3rd place at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in October. He became the youngest Affiliate Member in the history of The European Tour to earn a tour card.[28] The next week, he secured his card for 2008 by finishing in a tie for 4th place at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano.[29] On the 2007 European Tour season, he earned €277,255 and finished in 95th place on the Order of Merit list. He was the highest ranked associate member.[30]
Before his season started, Tiger Woods invited McIlroy to play in the 2007 Target World Challenge, held in December. McIlroy declined the invitation, preferring to play the European Open.[31]
McIlroy started his 2008 European Tour season at the UBS Hong Kong Open. He did not make the one-under cut.[32] He finished in a tie for 15th at the MasterCard Masters in Australia.[citation needed] He entered the top 200 of the Official World Golf Ranking for the first time on 27 January 2008.[33]
On 7 September 2008, McIlroy took a four-shot lead into the final round of the Omega European Masters in Crans-sur-Sierre, Switzerland, but finished in a tie for first place with Frenchman Jean-François Lucquin after a play-off.[34] He finished the 2008 season ranked 36th on the European Tour Order of Merit.[35]
After finishing second in the UBS Hong Kong Open in November 2008,[36] McIlroy attained his highest world ranking position of 50.[37] He finished the 2008 calendar year at 39th in the world rankings after finishing joint 3rd in the South African Open.[38] This earned him an invitation to the 2009 Masters Tournament. His first professional win came at age 19 when he won the Dubai Desert Classic on 1 February 2009, this win took him to 16th in the world rankings.[39]
In the 2009 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, McIlroy reached the quarterfinals. In the first round he defeated Louis Oosthuizen 2 & 1, in the second round he beat Hunter Mahan 1-up, and in the third round he beat Tim Clark, 4 & 3. He lost to Geoff Ogilvy, who won the tournament, in the quarterfinals 2 & 1.[40] McIlroy continued to play on the PGA Tour until May. He finished tied for 13th at the Honda Classic, tied for 20th at the WGC-CA Championship and tied for 19th at the Shell Houston Open.[41]
In April 2009, McIlroy appeared at The Masters in his first major tournament as a professional and his first Masters Tournament. He finished the tournament tied for 20th place, two shots under par for the tournament. Of the players to make the cut, McIlroy achieved the third highest average driving distance, beaten only by Dustin Johnson and Andrés Romero.[42] McIlroy played in two more events on the PGA Tour after the Masters including his first appearance at The Players Championship where he was cut.[41]
McIlroy then returned to Europe and recorded two top 25 finishes leading up to his first U.S. Open. He finished fifth at the BMW PGA Championship and 12th at the European Open.[43] McIlroy played in his second major as a professional at the 2009 U.S. Open. His final round of 68 (−2) helped him finish in a tie for 10th, his first top ten finish in a major. The following week, McIlroy finished in 15th at the BMW International Open.[43] McIlroy played in his first Open Championship as a professional in July and finished T-47.[41] He finished T-3 at the 2009 PGA Championship.[41]
McIlroy finished the 2009 season ranked second on the Race to Dubai, behind Lee Westwood, and in November he entered the top 10 of the world rankings for the first time.[44] McIlroy finished 2009 ranked 9th in the world.[45] In November 2009, McIlroy announced that he would join the American-based PGA Tour for the 2010 season.[46]
McIlroy accepted an invitation from Gary Player to participate in the 2009 Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club at Sun City, South Africa in December, but withdrew after feeling unwell.[47]
McIlroy finished 3rd at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship. McIlroy failed to defend his title at the 2010 Dubai Desert Classic after shooting a round of final-round 73 to finish in a tie for fifth place.[48]
In the 2010 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, McIlroy beat Kevin Na 1-up in the first round and then lost on a playoff hole to Oliver Wilson. After the Accenture Match Play Championship, McIlroy took time off from golf due to a sore back.[49] After a two-week break McIlroy returned in the 2010 Honda Classic and finished in a tie for 40th.[41]
On 2 May, McIlroy recorded his first PGA Tour win after shooting 62 in the final round of the Quail Hollow Championship. The round set a new course record, and concluded with six consecutive scores of three.[50] He became the first player since Tiger Woods to win a PGA Tour event prior to his 21st birthday.[51] The win earned him a two-year Tour exemption.[52] On 2 June, McIlroy played at the Memorial Skins Tournament at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio.[53] McIlroy finished T10 at the Memorial Tournament.[54]
On 15 July 2010, McIlroy confirmed his status as a favourite for the Open title on the Old Course at St Andrews by shooting a 9-under-par 63 on the opening day, the lowest-ever first round score in the 150-year history of the Open Championship, and tying the course record.[55] He missed a putt on the 17th, "The Road Hole", that would have given him the outright record.[56] His tied third finish in the 2010 Open Championship sent him to a career high world ranking of seventh.[57]
McIlroy missed out on a chance to win the 2010 PGA Championship when he three-putted the 15th green to fall out of a tie for the lead.[29] His final-hole birdie putt narrowly missed the hole to leave him a shot out of the playoff between Bubba Watson and eventual winner Martin Kaymer. McIlroy finished tied for third.[29] On 4 October 2010, McIlroy won a crucial half-point to help Europe regain the Ryder Cup.[30] Following the Ryder Cup, he announced in November that he would return to play full-time on the European Tour, although he also stated that he would continue to play 11 or 12 tournaments in the U.S. per year. He attributed the decision to having closer friends on the European Tour, his part in the Ryder Cup victory, and wanting to be nearer his girlfriend and family.[58]
McIlroy later stated that he regretted his 2010 decision to give up his PGA Tour card, and his skipping the 2010 Players Championship at Sawgrass. McIlroy's manager Chubby Chandler's aversion to the PGA Tour was cited by McIlroy as one of the main reasons for their later professional split.[59]
On 7 April, McIlroy shot a bogey-free 7-under-par 65 in the first round of the Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia to take the lead after the first day of the four-day competition.[60] He is the youngest player to date to lead the Masters at the close of the first day.[61] On Friday, he shot 69 to lead by two strokes over Jason Day with a 10-under-par score. On Saturday, he shot 70 to finish at 12-under-par, four strokes ahead of four other challengers. However, on the fourth and final day, he shot the worst round in history by any professional golfer leading after the third round of the Masters.[62] McIlroy scored one-over-par 37 on the first nine, and still had the lead, but shot a round of 80, finishing T15 at 4-under for the tournament.[41]
McIlroy failed to make the cut in his title defence at Quail Hollow in early May, was well off the pace at the BMW PGA Championship.[41] He held the 18 hole lead at the Memorial Tournament but finished in 5th place.[41]
McIlroy won the U.S. Open held at Congressional in Bethesda, Maryland on 19 June winning by eight shots over Jason Day. McIlroy set several records in his victory, most notably, his 72-hole aggregate score of 268 (16-under) was a new U.S. Open record. The 268 aggregate beat the previous record of 272 held by Jack Nicklaus (Baltusrol, 1980), Lee Janzen (Baltusrol, 1993), Tiger Woods (Pebble Beach, 2000), and Jim Furyk (Olympia Fields, 2003).[63] The 16-under in relation to par beat Tiger Woods' 12 under at Pebble Beach Golf Links in 2000.[5][64][65] He became the youngest winner since Bobby Jones in 1923. The victory lifted McIlroy's position in the Official World Golf Ranking to a then career high of number four.[66]
In preparation for the US Open, McIlroy practised at Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, rather than at Congressional, but did play two practice rounds at Congressional about a week before the start of the Open, after returning from a two-day trip to Haiti as an ambassador for UNICEF.[67][68]
On 17 June during the second round, McIlroy became the first player in the history of the tournament to amass a score of 13-under-par at any point in the tournament. He achieved the feat by making a birdie at the 17th hole in the second round. Despite a double bogey on the final hole, his two-day total of 131 (65–66, 11-under par) set a record as the lowest 36-hole total in U.S. Open history.[69] The score was one better than Ricky Barnes' 132 in 2009. He was also the fastest golfer to reach double digits under par in the U.S. Open, reaching 10 under par in 26 holes.[70]
On 18 June, during the U.S. Open's third round, he became the first player to reach 14-under par at the tournament by making a birdie at the 15th hole, on his way to a 54-hole U.S. Open record of 199.[71] In doing so, he also built an eight-shot lead going into the final round. A final round of 69 allowed him to claim his first major championship setting the 72-hole record.[72]
McIlroy took a month off from competitive golf.[73] At The Open Championship he struggled in tough weather over a difficult layout at Royal St George's Golf Club, failing to contend with the conditions.[74] He was again a non-factor at the PGA Championship at Atlanta Athletic Club after injuring his wrist on the 3rd hole of the first round after attempting to hit a ball behind a tree root.[75] McIlroy went on to win the Lake Malaren Shanghai Masters in a playoff against Anthony Kim.[76] In November, he finished tied for 4th at the WGC-HSBC Champions to move to a then career high of number two in the Official World Golf Ranking. In December 2011, he won the UBS Hong Kong Open by 2 shots.[77]
McIlroy's first tournament of the year was at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship during the Dubai swing of the European Tour at the end of January. The tournament was in the spotlight due to its high profile field including former and current World Number 1 Tiger Woods and Luke Donald respectively, and World Number 2 Lee Westwood. McIlroy also played alongside Woods and Donald in the marquee group during the first two days. McIlroy shot rounds of 67-72-68 to start round 4 in joint 3rd place behind joint leaders Robert Rock and Tiger Woods. He shot a 3-under-par 69 on Sunday to finish lone second, one shot behind winner Robert Rock. McIlroy continued the Dubai swing at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic where he finished tied 5th on 14-under-par, four shots behind winner Rafael Cabrera-Bello. He continued to play well at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Arizona where he won matches against George Coetzee, Anders Hanson, Miguel Ángel Jiménez, Bae Sang-moon and Lee Westwood before losing to Hunter Mahan in the final. After 10 holes in the final match, McIlroy was 4 down to Mahan, but cut the deficit to 2 down through 16 holes. The 17th hole was halved with pars, securing the win for Mahan. There was anticipation surrounding the semi-final match between McIlroy and Westwood, as the winner would become the number one golfer in the world if they also won the final. McIlroy's runner-up finish moved him up to number two in the world while also putting him at the top of the Race to Dubai leaderboard.
Two weeks later, he lost the number one spot to Luke Donald but regained the top spot on 15 April. After being number one for two weeks, he lost the spot to Donald again on 29 April.
The following week, McIlroy continued good form and won the Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and with it claimed the Number 1 spot in the world rankings.[78] He started the fourth round in first place at 11-under-par after rounds of 66-67-66, ahead of a chasing pack including Tiger Woods, Lee Westwood and Keegan Bradley. McIlroy shot a final round of 69 to claim his third PGA Tour title and finished two shots ahead of Tiger Woods and Tom Gillis. McIlroy became the second youngest World Number 1 and moved up to fourth place in the FedEx Cup standings.[79] McIlroy played the following week at the WGC-Cadillac Championship in Miami, Florida. His recent good form began to dwindle slightly on Thursday, when he shot a 1-over par 73. However, he shot 69 and 65 the next two days to begin the fourth round in tied 8th place. Going into the back 9 on Sunday, he had a chance of winning his second title of 2012 in as many weeks due to the leaders faltering. However two late bogeys halted his chance and he settled for 3rd place, two shots behind winner Justin Rose. McIlroy lost his number one ranking on 18 March to Luke Donald after Donald won the Transitions Championship. McIlroy was one stroke off of the lead going into the weekend at The Masters but struggled in his last two rounds and finished in a tie for 40th. He regained the top spot in the world rankings on 15 April but lost it to Donald again on 29 April. On 6 May, McIlroy was in contention at the Wells Fargo Championship and went to a playoff with Rickie Fowler and D. A. Points. Fowler won the tournament on the first playoff hole with a birdie. The runner-up finish put McIlroy back at the top of the Official World Golf Ranking.[80]
McIlroy employs the interlocking grip on full shots; this same somewhat rare method is used by Tiger Woods, the dominant star golfer of McIlroy's youthful years. Previous great champions who have used this grip included Jack Nicklaus, Tom Kite, John Daly, Gene Sarazen, Francis Ouimet, and Willie Anderson.
Darren Clarke, the veteran Northern Irish Ryder Cup player and winner of pro events around the world, met McIlroy when he was 12 years old, and has been a mentor to him since that time. Nick Faldo, six-time major winner, welcomed young McIlroy into his youth golf tournament series from his early teen years.[81] Graeme McDowell, the Northern Irish Ryder Cup player and 2010 U.S. Open champion who is ten years older, has helped and mentored McIlroy from his early professional years. McDowell frequently plays practice rounds at Tour events with McIlroy, and has seen his talents develop quickly. The two are close friends. McIlroy has recently obtained putting assistance and instruction from Dave Stockton, a retired PGA Tour star who won two major championships. Stockton is a renowned expert on putting who coaches several Tour players, and has written a well-received book on his techniques. Retired superstar Jack Nicklaus met young McIlroy when he was starting to play the U.S. Tour in 2009, and extended his friendship along with an early invitation to his Memorial Tournament, one of the Tour's most prestigious events. Nicklaus and McIlroy get together for lunch whenever possible, and Nicklaus reached out to McIlroy after his collapse in the 2011 Masters with some friendly advice on how to close out tournaments.[11]
McIlroy was managed by Englishman Andrew "Chubby" Chandler, a former European Tour player who founded International Sports Management. The pair split in October 2011,[82] with McIlroy joining Dublin-based Horizon Sports Management.[83][84]
On 17 August 2010, McIlroy answered a media question regarding Tiger Woods' potential of getting a captain's pick in the Ryder Cup (despite his poor play at the time) by saying that any member of the European Team would "fancy his chances against him".[85]
In May 2011, McIlroy was criticised for skipping The Players Championship. The skip was controversial because 48 of the top 50 in the world participated in it, the other golfer skipping being fellow European Lee Westwood.[86]
On 17 July 2011, following a poor showing over the weekend in the 2011 Open Championship, McIlroy told the media that he was "not a fan of golf tournaments that are predicted so much by the weather,", and saying he would rather "wait for a year when the weather is nice" instead of tuning his game to prepare for the Open Championship. He also added that he would "rather play when it's 80 degrees and sunny and not much wind".[87]
On 28 July 2011, after being criticised on air by commentator Jay Townsend about McIlroy's questionable course management skills during the first round of the Irish Open, McIlroy wrote on Twitter telling Townsend to "shut up" and saying Townsend is a "failed golfer" and that "his opinion meant nothing". Later, McIlroy stood by his comments and stated that his comments were made in defence of his caddie J. P. Fitzgerald whom Townsend had been blaming for McIlroy's course management since 2008.[88]
McIlroy self-identifies as both British and Irish,[89] and carries a British passport.[90] When in Northern Ireland, he lives near the town of Carryduff in County Down, about 20 minutes from Belfast. The land around his house includes a custom-made practice facility, as well as a scaled-down football pitch.[91]
He is an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland[92] and made his first visit to Haiti with UNICEF in June 2011.[93][94]
His great uncle Joe McIlroy was murdered by the Ulster Volunteer Force at his east Belfast home in November 1972.[6][95] As of 2011 he has been in a relationship with Danish tennis player Caroline Wozniacki.[96]
McIlroys main sporting passion outside of Golf is for the Ulster Rugby Team. He often interrupts his busy golfing schedule to attend matches at Ravenhill, Belfast.[97][98]
McIlroy is also a Manchester United football supporter, admitting in an interview with the club website that "they create good football when they needed to down the years".[99]
McIlroy was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2012 New Year Honours for services to sport.[100][101]
- 2005 West of Ireland Championship, Irish Close Championship
- 2006 West of Ireland Championship, Irish Close Championship, European Amateur Championship
| Legend |
| Major championships (1) |
| Other PGA Tour (2) |
|
PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)
| Legend |
| Major championships (1) |
| Other European Tour (2) |
|
| Season |
Starts |
Cuts
made |
Wins |
2nd |
3rd |
Top
10 |
Top
25 |
Earnings
(€) |
Money
list rank |
| 2007 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
277,255 |
95 |
| 2008 |
27 |
16 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
10 |
696,335 |
36 |
| 2009 |
25 |
24 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
14 |
18 |
3,610,020 |
2 |
| 2010 |
16 |
14 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
9 |
11 |
1,821,050 |
13 |
| 2011 |
19 |
19 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
12 |
17 |
4,002,168 |
2 |
| 2012 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
1,348,517 |
1 |
| Career |
96 |
82 |
3 |
8 |
11 |
47 |
62 |
11,755,346 |
20[102] |
| Season |
Starts |
Cuts
made |
Wins |
2nd |
3rd |
Top
10 |
Top
25 |
Earnings
($) |
Money
list rank |
| 2007 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
(amateur) |
n/a^ |
| 2009 |
11 |
10 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
7 |
849,719 |
n/a^ |
| 2010 |
16 |
12 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
5 |
6 |
2,554,280 |
26 |
| 2011 |
10 |
9 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
7 |
1,905,609 |
n/a^ |
| 2012 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
2,996,000 |
3 |
| Career |
43 |
37 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
16 |
24 |
8,305,608 |
152[104] |
- ^ McIlroy was not a member of the PGA Tour in 2007, 2009 or 2011 so he was not included on the money list.
- As of 6 May 2012.[105]
- Note that there is double counting of money earned (and wins) in the majors and World Golf Championships since they are official events on both tours.
| Year |
Championship |
54 holes |
Winning score |
To par |
Margin
of victory |
Runner-up |
| 2011 |
U.S. Open |
8 shot lead |
65-66-68-69=268 |
–16 |
8 strokes |
 Jason Day |
LA = Low Amateur
DNP = Did not play
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10.
- Tournaments played: 14
- Wins: 1
- 2nd: 0
- 3rd: 3
- Top 10s: 5
- Top 25s: 8
- Missed cuts: 2
- Most consecutive cuts made: 7
DNP = Did not play
QF, R16, R32, R64 = Round in which player lost in match play
"T" = tied
Yellow background for top-10.
Amateur
Professional
- Driver – Titleist 910D2, 8.5 degree, Rombax 7V05 X Flex
- Fairway woods – Titleist 910f 15 degree project X, Titleist 910f 19 degree project X
- Irons – Titleist MB, 3–9 Iron, Project X 7.0 shafts
- Wedges – Titleist Bob Vokey, 48, 54, 60 degree, Project X 7.0 shafts
- Putter – Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport GSS (prototype)33"
- Ball – Titleist ProV1x
- Bag – Titleist SM Staff Bag, 2012 edition
- ^ a b c Rory McIlroy – European Tour profile
- ^ "Northern Ireland hails Rory McIlroy as its 'Celtic Tiger,' and latest golf hero". PGA.com. Associated Press. http://www.pga.com/news/pga-tour/northern-ireland-hails-rory-mcilroy-its-celtic-tiger-and-latest-golf-hero. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ a b c Parsons, Chris (20 June 2011). "Thanks Dad: The best Father's Day present ever as golf's new superstar dedicates stunning U.S. Open victory to his parents". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2005686/US-Open-2011-winner-Rory-McIlroy-dedicates-victory-parents-Fathers-Day.html. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy Tipped For Golfing Riches". Sky News. http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/UK-News/Video-Golf-Riches---Rory-McIlroy-Wins-US-Open-Championship-22-Year-Old-Youngest-Winner-Since-1923/Article/200908316015008?lpos=UK_News_Top_Stories_Header_1&lid=ARTICLE_16015008_Video%3A_Golf_Riches_-_Rory_McIlroy_Wins_US_Open_Championship%2C_22-Year-Old_Youngest_Winner_Since_1923. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ a b "Expectations grow as McIlroy tries to add majors". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. 20 June 2011. http://www.seattlepi.com/sports/article/Expectations-grow-as-McIlroy-tries-to-add-majors-1432023.php. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ a b Breen, Suzanne (26 June 2011). "And the real winner is...peace: How Belfast superstar Rory Mcllroy refused to let himself be defined by his family's religion". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2008242/Rory-Mcllroy-How-Belfast-superstar-refused-let-defined-familys-religion.html. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- ^ Elliott, Bill (22 July 2007). "As Woods slips, the steel of Europe is revealed". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2007/jul/21/aswoodsslipsthesteelofeu. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ NBC Sports television broadcast of 2011 U.S. Open, 19 June 2011
- ^ Lamport-Stokes, Mark (21 June 2011). "Celtic Tiger has golf by the tail". Reuters.
- ^ golfdigest.com, "How Rory McIlroy won the U.S. Open", 20 June 2011
- ^ a b c NBC Sports television broadcast of 2011 U.S. Open, 18–19 June 2011
- ^ NBC Sports coverage of 2011 U.S. Open, 19 June 2011
- ^ "Welcome to Holywood Golf Club". http://www.holywoodgolfclub.co.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ The Golf Channel, Morning Drive show, 21 June 2011
- ^ "News & Events". PGA.com. http://www.pga.com/news/pganews/pgaofamericatournamentnews/jrryder091204.cfm. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Golf: Rory McIlroy wins the Irish Close". Indigo.ie. http://indigo.ie/~kands/kands/html/rorclo.html. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ Ryan, Eoin (6 May 2011). "Cutler and Dunbar lead Irish Close Championship field". Teetotal.ie. http://www.teetotal.ie/2011/05/06/cutler-and-dunbar-lead-irish-close-championship-field. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ International European Championship Amateur 2006, Golf Club BIELLA 23–24–25–26 August 2006 PDF file from EGA-Golf web site
- ^ Wolken, Dan (19 June 2011). "Prized Recruit: College golf coach reflects on the one who got away". The Daily. http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/06/19/061911-sports-wolken-1-3. Retrieved 21 June 2011.
- ^ "The 2007 Open Championship News". PGA.com. http://www.pga.com/openchampionship/2007/news/mcilroy072207.html. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Golfing sensation sets new record". BBC News. 13 July 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4679995.stm. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "The R&A – The World Amateur Golf Ranking Homepage – Men's and Women's golf rankings". wagr.randa.org. http://wagr.randa.org/default.sps?pagegid=%7B06E33FA7%2DE1B5%2D4B0D%2DAE14%2D292B34A25086%7D&newsid=401145&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=12864&frommonth=12&fromyear=2006&tomonth=2&toyear=2007. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Official Website Of The 2007 Walker Cup Match". WalkerCup.org. http://www.walkercup.org/2007/news/gbiprofiles.html. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "The R&A". Walker Cup. http://www.thewalkercup.org/scores.sps?pageid=253. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy, News, Stats, Biography & Tournament Info – Imagine Golf". Imaginegolfclub.com. http://www.imaginegolfclub.com/golfers/rory-mcilroy-8016.htm. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy splits from agent". Golfinternationalmag.com. 27 January 2010. http://www.golfinternationalmag.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3053:rory-mcilroy-splits-from-agent-&catid=1:news&Itemid=3. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ Rory McIlroy – European Tour – 2007 results
- ^ "The 2011 PGA Championship – Profiles". PGA.com. 11 August 2011. http://www.pga.com/pgachampionship/2011/scoring/profiles/index.cfm?id=28237. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ a b c Rory McIlroy Biography
- ^ a b "Rory McIlroy Highs and Lows". Sporting Life. http://www.sportinglife.com/golf/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=golf/11/08/12/GOLF_McIlroy_Highs__Lows.html&BID=585. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "McIlroy says no to Tiger, he's too busy!" 15 November 2007, Belfast Telegraph
- ^ "McDowell in contention after 66". BBC News. 16 November 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/7097937.stm. Retrieved 22 May 2010.
- ^ "Official World Golf Ranking – Week 4 – 27 January 2008" (PDF). http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr04f2008.pdf. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Crans-Montana – 1–4 September 2011". Omega European Masters. http://www.omegaeuropeanmasters.com/en/competition/result.php?round=4. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "McILROY HAILS INCREDIBLE WEEK" Sporting Life.com
- ^ "Official World Golf Ranking – Week 47 results – 23 November 2008" (PDF). http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/Week47/owgr47w2008.pdf. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Official World Golf Ranking – Week 47 – 23 November 2008" (PDF). http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr47f2008.pdf. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Official World Golf Ranking – Week 52, 31 December 2008" (PDF). http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2008/owgr52f2008.pdf. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ TWI Interactive. "Official World Golf Ranking – News – Full Story". Owgr.com. http://www.owgr.com/NEWS/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6626319&itype=421. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "World Golf Championships-Accenture Match Play Championship – Rory McIlroy Scorecard". Pgatour.com. 28 February 2011. http://www.pgatour.com/players/02/82/37/scorecards/2009/r470.html. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f g h http://www.pgatour.com/players/r/?/02/82/37/results
- ^ "Driving Distance Leaders – 2011 Masters Tournament". Masters.com. http://www.masters.com/en_US/scores/stats/drives_avg.html. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ a b [1]
- ^ TWI Interactive. "Week 47 – Lee Westwood Wins The Dubai World Championship, The Race To Dubai And Moves To World Number Four, One Of Six Europeans In The World Top10". Owgr.com. http://www.owgr.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6643277&itype=&iCategoryID=0. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Official World Golf Ranking – Week 52, 31 December 2009" (PDF). http://dps.endavadigital.net/owgr/doc/content/archive/2009/owgr52f2009.pdf. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ Reason, Mark (18 November 2009). "Rory McIlroy's self motivating qualities makes him favourite for the Race to Dubai". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/europeantour/6599443/Rory-McIlroys-self-motivating-qualities-makes-him-favourite-for-the-Race-to-Dubai.html. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ "McIlroy pulls out of NGC". Sport24.co.za. http://www.sport24.co.za/Golf/NedbankChallenge/McIlroy-pulls-out-of-NGC-20091205. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy – Tiger-esque Performer, Extraordinary Player Leading US Open Golf 2011 | The Sports Herald". Thesportsherald.com. 19 June 2011. http://www.thesportsherald.com/2011/rory-mcilroy-tiger-esque-performer-extraordinary-player-leading-us-open-golf-2011.html. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "BBC Sport – Golf – NI golfer Rory McIlroy set for back injury scan". BBC News. 8 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/golf/8504068.stm. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Quail Hollow Championship – Notebook: Round 4". Pgatour.com. 2 May 2010. http://www.pgatour.com/2010/tournaments/r480/05/02/final-notebook-quailhollow/index.html. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy breaks record to win maiden PGA Tour title". BBC Sport. 2 May 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/8657581.stm. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
- ^ "PGA Tour – All-Exempt Tour Priority Rankings". Pgatour.com. http://www.pgatour.com/r/player_exemptions/index.html. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Chris Riley, Rory McIlroy grab first-round lead at Memorial". USA Today. 2 June 2011. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2011-06-02-the-memorial-tournament_N.htm. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "The Memorial Golf Leaderboard is headed by Rory McIlroy and Chris Riley". Golfblogger.co.uk. 2 June 2011. http://www.golfblogger.co.uk/post/the-memorial-golf-leaderboard-is-headed-by-rory-mcilroy-and-chris-riley-1f5. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ Rainbird, Miranda (11 April 2011). "Phil and Tiger: The Rivalry: Rory McIlroy – biggest collapse ever". Philandtiger.blogspot.com. http://philandtiger.blogspot.com/2011/04/rory-mcilroy-biggest-collapse-ever.html. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Ladbrokes – The Open". Ladbrokes.teamtalk.com. http://ladbrokes.teamtalk.com/ladbrokes/golf/story/0,23708,21652_7018481,00.html. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy – eNotes.com Reference". Enotes.com. http://www.enotes.com/topic/Rory_McIlroy. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy to focus on European Tour rather than PGA". BBC Sport. 9 November 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/9169185.stm. Retrieved 9 November 2010.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy: Andrew 'Chubby' Chandler led me down the wrong path". The Guardian. 1 April 2012. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/apr/01/rory-mcilroy-chubby-chandler. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
- ^ The Masters (7 April 2011). "The Masters 2011: Rory McIlroy leads after magnificent opening round of 65 at Augusta". London: Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/mastersaugusta/8436252/The-Masters-2011-Rory-McIlroy-leads-after-magnificent-opening-round-of-65-at-Augusta.html. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy Wins U.S. Open to Become Youngest Champion in Nearly a Century – ABC News". USA: ABC. 20 June 2011. http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/rory-mcilroy-wins-us-open-youngest-champion-century/story?id=13888448. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ Lawrenson, Derek (11 April 2011). "McIlroy's Masters dream ends in tears as three holes from hell hand Schwartzel the Green Jacket". Daily Mail (London). http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/article-1375545/Rory-chokes-Charl-Schwartzel-clinches-Masters-thrilling-final-day-Augusta.html.
- ^ "U.S. Open records set by champion McIlroy" 20 June 2011, Yahoo Sports, Accessed 4 July 2011
- ^ Garside, Kevin (20 June 2011). "Rory McIlroy illuminates Congressional with record-breaking performance". The Daily Telegraph (London). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/golf/usopen/8585393/US-Open-2011-Rory-McIlroy-illuminates-Congressional-with-record-breaking-performance.html. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy wows American press with US Open triumph". The Guardian (London). 20 June 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jun/20/rory-mcilroy-american-press-us-open. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ "Week 25 – Rory McIlroy Wins The US Open In Record Breaking Style And Climbs To World Number 4". 20 June 2011. http://www.owgr.com/NEWS/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=6653901&itype=421. Retrieved 26 June 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy warms up for U.S. Open at Pine Valley – Press Tent". Blogs.golf.com. 12 June 2011. http://blogs.golf.com/presstent/2011/06/rory-mcilroy-warms-up-for-us-open-at-pine-valley.html. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ NBC Sports broadcast of 2011 U.S. Open, 18–19 June 2011
- ^ Scrivener, Peter (17 June 2011). "US Open second round at Congressional as it happened". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/golf/9515522.stm. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ "Capital Offense: McIlroy (11 Under) Running Away From Field At Midway Point". USOpen.com. http://www.usopen.com/en_US/index.html#!/usopen_today/news/201106171308342491334. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ Murray, Scott (18 June 2011). "US Open 2011: day three – as it happened". The Guardian (London). http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/jun/18/us-open-day-three-live. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ "US Open 2011: Remarkable Rory McIlroy wins by eight shots" 20 June 2011, The Guardian, Accessed 4 July 2011
- ^ Bensch, Bob (7 July 2011). "Rory McIlroy Says He Needed to Take Break After Record U.S. Open Victory". Bloomberg. http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-07/rory-mcilroy-says-he-needed-to-take-break-after-record-u-s-open-victory.html. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy struggles to a 74, tries to keep his hopes up". USA Today. 16 July 2011. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/golf/pga/2011-07-16-british-open-rory-mcilroy_n.htm. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "After the PGA Championship, he has finished in the top three of his next four events worldwide. [http://www.owgr.com/players/bio.sps?ID=10091&name=Rory&Rank=3&TotalPts=379.9619 Official World Golf Ranking for Rory McIlroy". Livereport.pga.com. http://livereport.pga.com/2011/08/11/mcilroy-to-receive-mri-on-wrist. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Shanghai Masters Golf Tournament 2011 Final Round". realsportingnews.com. 30 October 2011. http://realsportingnews.com/shanghai-masters-golf-tournament-2011-final-round/824. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
- ^ "Randhawa finishes 29th at Hong Kong Open", 4 December 2011, Times of India
- ^ "Rory McIlroy becomes world number one after Honda win". BBC. 4 March 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17254076. Retrieved 4 March 2012.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy eager to retain world number one ranking". BBC Sport. 5 March 2012. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/golf/17255184. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy is world No. 1 again despite play-off loss to Rickie Fowler". The Guardian. 6 May 2012. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/may/07/rory-mcilroy-world-no1-rickie-fowler?newsfeed=true. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- ^ Connell Barrett, Golf Magazine, August 2009
- ^ "US Open champion McIlroy splits with ISM after four years in Chubby's stable" 21 October 2011, Daily Mail
- ^ "Rory McIlroy splits with manager Andrew Chandler" 21 October 2011, BBC News
- ^ "Horizon Sports Management". Horizonsports.ie. http://www.horizonsports.ie. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy Does Not Fear Tiger Woods" 17 August 2010, Sports Grid
- ^ "Mickelson rounds on Westwood and McIlroy as British pair skip US flagship event" 11 May 2011, Daily Mail
- ^ "Rory McIlroy not a fan of playing in poor weather" 17 July 2011, The Washington Post
- ^ "Rory McIlroy To Commentator Jay Townsend: 'Shut Up,' 'Your Opinion Means Nothing'" 28 July 2011, The Huffington Post
- ^ What they said: Rory McIlroy PGA Tour
- ^ Stanage, Niall (10 July 2011). "Northern Ireland's McIlroy Transcends Boundaries". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/sports/golf/northern-irelands-mcilroy-transcends-boundaries.html?pagewanted=all.
- ^ Sneak Preview of McIlroy Home BBC Video.
- ^ "Latest News | UNICEF Ireland". Unicef.ie. http://www.unicef.ie/NewsMedia/Golf-Star-Rory-McIlroy-appointed-UNICEF-Ireland-Ambassador-72-183.aspx. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
- ^ "Rory McIlroy’s journey to Haiti puts Masters and golf in perspective". The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/othersports/golf/mcilroys-journey-to-haiti-puts-masters-and-golf-in-perspective/2011/06/14/AGhkJ6UH_story.html. Retrieved 20 June 2011. [dead link]
- ^ "Rory McIlroy's trip makes heartfelt impact – U.S. Open". ESPN. 14 June 2011. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=wojciechowski_gene&page=wojciechowski/110614&sportCat=golf. Retrieved 20 June 2011.
- ^ "Police to re-examine evidence in sectarian murder of Rory McIlroy's uncle". Irishcentral.com. http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Police-to-re-examine-evidence-in-sectarian-murder-of-Rory-McIlroys-uncle-124586274.html. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
- ^ "McIlroy says arm fine, confirms dating Wozniacki". pgatour.com. 25 August 2011. http://www.pgatour.com/2011/r/08/25/mcilroy-wozniacki.ap/index.html. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
- ^ http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-17794940
- ^ http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/ulster-deny-mcilroy-is-bankrolling-provinces-big-earners-2630281.html
- ^ Beck, Alan (20 June 2011). "Rory McIlroy passionate about Manchester United". Official Manchester United website. http://www.manutd.com/en/Fanzone/News-And-Blogs/2011/Jun/rory-mcilroy-interview.aspx. Retrieved 7 March 2012.
- ^ London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 60009. p. 19. 31 December 2011.
- ^ "OBE for Darren Clarke and MBE for Rory McIlroy in New Year Honours list". BBC Sport. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/16364899.stm. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
- ^ "Career Money List". European Tour. http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/stats/career/index.html. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
- ^ Rory Mcilroy. "Rory McIlroy – European Tour – Career Record Details". European Tour. http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/players/playerid=34024/record/index.html. Retrieved 12 December 2011.
- ^ "Career Money Leaders". PGA Tour. http://www.pgatour.com/r/stats/info/?110. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
- ^ Rory Mcilroy. "Rory McIlroy Results". PGA Tour. http://www.pgatour.com/golfers/028237/rory-mcilroy/season/#uber. Retrieved 6 May 2012.
|
|
|
* denotes current World No. 1.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
- † indicates the event was won in a playoff;
- ‡ indicates the event was won wire-to-wire;
- # indicates the event was won by an amateur
|
|
| Persondata |
| Name |
McIlroy, Rory |
| Alternative names |
|
| Short description |
Professional golfer |
| Date of birth |
4 May 1989 |
| Place of birth |
Holywood, Northern Ireland |
| Date of death |
|
| Place of death |
|
